A SENIOR Labour councillor appeared in court yesterday to deny a racially aggravated public order offence.

Councillor Derek Butler is alleged to have urged voters to reject "a German" while campaigning for this year's local authority elections.

The 58-year-old, of Hawker Close, Broughton, serves on Flintshire County Council.

He made his first appearance before Flintshire magistrates' court at Mold..

Butler spoke only to confirm his personal details and enter a not guilty plea.

He was charged in connection with comments allegedly made over a loudhailer during electioneering in Deeside.

It is alleged Butler told people in Saltney to vote for the "local" candidate and not Green Party councillor Klaus Armstrong-Braun.

Butler is alleged to have referred to him as the "German from Broughton".

The charge alleges that on June 6, at Saltney, he used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, or disorderly behaviour, in the hearing of people likely to have been caused harassment, alarm or distress, which was racially aggravated.

Magistrates agreed with prosecutor John Wylde and defence solicitor Stephen Warburton the case should be adjourned for four weeks. Butler was granted unconditional bail.

* Mr Armstrong-Braun lost his seat to Labour's Terry Walker, from Saltney. Mickey McQueeney is determined to continue his footballing life despite losing an eye Picture: ROBERT PARRY JONES